Governor Branstad, Lt. Governor Reynolds. (file photo)
Governor Terry Branstad said this weekend he is “grooming” Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds to be the state’s next governor, but Branstad’s not saying when he might be ready to step aside. On Friday, Branstad said it is his “intention” to serve all four years of a sixth term if Iowans reelect him this November. This morning, Branstad and Reynolds hinted Branstad might seek a seventh term if he’s healthy.
“I’m feeling good and I’m intending to serve a long time, so I’m not ruling anything out,” Branstad said. Reynolds added: “I can back that up because I just challenge you to travel a week with him and he will demonstrate his energy.” Reynolds is 54 years old. Branstad is 67. During his weekly news conference, Branstad was asked if he’ll fellow U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley’s example of staying in office into his 80s.
“Hey, I’d love to be in the shape he’s in at 80 years old,” Branstad told reporters this morning, laughing. “He ran a 10 (kilometer) on his 80th birthday. I respect and admire Chuck Grassley a lot, but I’m not going to comment further…Age is a state of mind.”
Grassley, who turned 80 in September, recently announced he intends to seek reelection in 2016.